Unit boat shipments rise 9.6 percent
Wholesale dollar sales of all boats in 2004 were up 18.9 percent through May compared to prior year numbers, while unit shipments increased 9.6 percent based on the May Monthly Shipment Report (MSR) released today by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). The traditional powerboat segments, (outboard, sterndrive, and inboard boats) were up 19.9 percent in dollars and up 12.4 percent in units shipped through May, compared to the previous year.
“With reports that dealer inventories are holding or declining, strong wholesale figures through May indicate strong sell through to the consumer entering the peak of the boating season,” says NMMA president Thomas Dammrich.
More companies are participating in this year’s MSR program, providing more accurate statistical data. The number of companies participating has increased to 153 (compared to 137 last year). These companies accounted for 79 percent of powerboat sales in 2003.
The association publishes its twelve-month rolling wholesale shipments report and the flash reports to provide a snapshot of the state of the industry. NMMA’s MSR tracks manufacturers’ shipments to dealers for both boats and outboard engines using a control group of boat and engine manufacturers. The 2004 boat control group represents about 79 percent of the overall boat marketplace while the 2004 outboard engine control group represents about 95 percent of the market. With this information, companies can measure how their sales are compared to the rest of the boat and engine manufacturers.
Companies participating in the control group are asked to contribute their sales figures by the fifteenth of each following month. The numbers referenced in the flash report reflect those that were contributed by the deadline date. Final numbers accounting for all submitted reports are usually available within the next thirty days.
For information on subscribing to NMMA’s monthly statistical reports, contact NMMA Market Statistics director Jim Petru at (312) 946-6202; [email protected].
By: Dan Green, NMMA Staff
